Cats love treats! Giving your cat a special treat is a great way to bond with them and make them happy. When choosing a treat for your cat, there are a few key things to consider: their dietary needs, taste preferences, and what you want the treat to accomplish (relaxation, dental health, etc.). In this article, we’ll explore some of the best special treat options for cats that they’ll love.
What Makes a Good Cat Treat?
When looking for a quality cat treat, here are some things to look for:
– Natural ingredients – Look for treats made with real meat, fish, or poultry as the first ingredient, and avoid artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Cats do best on a high-protein, low-carb diet.
– Grain-free – Grain-free treats are ideal since many cats have trouble digesting grains.
– Limited ingredients – Treats with fewer, simple ingredients are less likely to cause an allergic reaction or upset your cat’s stomach.
– Gluten-free – Gluten doesn’t provide any nutritional value for cats, so gluten-free treats are best.
– Moisture-rich – Look for treats with a smooth, pâté-style texture that contains ample moisture. This helps promote hydration.
– Veterinarian approved – Ask your vet for treat recommendations suitable for your cat’s age and health conditions.
What Purposes Do Cat Treats Serve?
Cat treats can serve a variety of helpful purposes, including:
– Bonding – Giving treats helps strengthen the bond between you and your cat. Treat time is a chance to provide affection.
– Training – Small treats work well as rewards during training sessions for learned behaviors.
– Medication delivery – Mixing medication into a tasty treat makes it easier to give cats their medicine.
– Dental health – Some treats are designed to scrape plaque and tartar off teeth as cats chew.
– Relaxation – Treats with calming herbs or supplements help relax anxious cats.
– Supplements – Certain treats provide functional ingredients that supplement your cat’s diet like omega fatty acids.
Best Treats for Cats
Now let’s explore 11 of the top special treat options for pampering your feline friend!
1. Freeze-Dried Raw Treats
Benefits: Made from raw meat or fish that is gently freeze-dried to remove moisture while preserving nutrients and flavor. This mimics a cat’s natural diet. An easy-to-digest treat with a crispy texture cats love.
Try: Vital Essentials Minnows Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Treats
2. Jerky Treats
Benefits: Jerky-style treats are thin strips of real meat that are lightly cooked or dehydrated. They have a chewy, irresistible texture.
Try: Whole Life Pet Jerky Tenders Cat Treats
3. Broth Treats
Benefits: Broths contain concentrated meat flavors and gelatin which naturally support joint health. The liquid treats add moisture to the diet.
Try: Tiki Cat Broths Treats
4. Pâté Style Treats
Benefits: These soft, smooth treats have a palatable texture like canned cat food. Made from blended meat and broth. Gentle on teeth.
Try: Wellness Kittles Cat Treats
5. Greenies Dental Treats
Benefits: These treats are designed with ridges, nubs, and textured surfaces to scrape away plaque as cats chew. Promotes oral health.
Try: Greenies Feline Dental Treats
6. Freeze-Dried Fish Treats
Benefits: Made from whole fish like salmon or trout that is freeze-dried to retain natural flavor and moisture. An excellent source of omega fatty acids.
Try: PureBites Pure Wild Ocean Whitefish Freeze-Dried Cat Treats
7. Real Meat Treats
Benefits: These soft treats contain over 95% real meat like chicken, salmon, or duck. They have the irresistible flavors cats crave.
Try: PureBites Chicken Breast Cat Treats
8. Natural Chews
Benefits: These chews are made from ingredients like grass-fed bully sticks, pig ears, and chicken feet. They satisfy cats’ instincts to chew.
Try: Feline Greenies Natural Dental Cat Treats
9. Catnip Treats
Benefits: These treats are infused with catnip, which many cats enjoy. Catnip triggers scent receptors and can have a calming effect.
Try: Yeowww! Organic Catnip Cat Treats
10. Lickable Treats
Benefits: These soft, lickable treats come in tubes similar to cat food pouches. The texture is perfect for cats who prefer licking treats.
Try: PureBites Lickable Cat Treats
11. Birthday Cake Treats
Benefits: What better way to celebrate your cat’s birthday than with a tasty “cake” treat? These provide feline-friendly frosting flavor.
Try: PureBites Party Mix Cake Batter Cat Treats
Key Considerations When Choosing Treats
Now that you have some delicious treat options, here are a few final tips for choosing the best treats for your cat:
– Read the ingredients: Always check the ingredient list for natural, high-quality ingredients. Avoid vague terms like “meat by-products.”
– Consider allergies: If your cat has food allergies, check treats for potential allergens like fish, chicken, grains, etc.
– Pick appropriate sizes: Depending on your purpose, choose an appropriate treat size. Smaller treats work best for training.
– Understand calorie content: Be mindful of calories if your cat needs to lose weight. Compare calorie content between treats.
– Rotate treats: Rotate different treats to add variety to their diet and prevent developing an exclusive preference for one treat.
– Always supervise: When first giving a new treat, supervise your cat to ensure they tolerate it well.
– Follow serving guidelines: Follow treat package instructions for proper serving sizes to avoid overfeeding.
Homemade Cat Treat Recipes
Looking to whip up some homemade cat treats? Here are 2 healthy, cat-approved recipes to try:
Salmon & Catnip Cat Treats
Ingredients:
– 1 (5 oz) can salmon, drained and flaked
– 1 large egg
– 1 tbsp catnip
– 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
– 2 tbsp salmon or tuna broth
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mix together the salmon, egg, catnip, flour, and broth until a thick dough forms.
3. Turn dough onto a floured surface and roll out 1/4-inch thick. Cut into small treat shapes with cookie cutters.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly browned. Cool before serving. Store uneaten treats in the fridge for up to a week.
Pumpkin & Oat Cat Treats
Ingredients:
– 1/2 cup oat flour
– 1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
– 1 tbsp ground flax seed
– 1 egg white
– 1 tsp catnip
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, stir together the oat flour, pumpkin, flax seed, egg white, and catnip.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough 1/4-inch thick. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly browned. Turn off oven and leave treats inside to cool completely.
5. Store cooled treats in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
How Often Can Cats Have Treats?
It’s fine to give your cat treats daily, but moderation is key. As a general guideline:
– Kittens (under 1 year): Up to 5-10 treats per day
– Adult cats: Up to 15 treats per day
– Overweight/senior cats: Up to 10 treats per day
When giving treats, reduce your cat’s normal food intake for the day by the same amount of calories the treats contain. This prevents overfeeding. Always follow package instructions for proper serving sizes. Break treats into smaller pieces if needed.
Signs Your Cat Loves a Treat
How can you tell if your cat is enjoying a treat? Watch for these signs:
– Excited meowing when they see the treat bag
– Intense sniffing when investigating a new treat
– Licking their lips in anticipation
– Purring while eating
– Crunching eagerly on treats with a harder texture
– Lapping up soft, wet treats
– Pacing around wanting more
– Rolling on their back while eating
– Following you hoping for another treat
– Increased energy and playfulness after treat time
If your cat turns their nose up at a treat or refuses to eat it, they may not like the flavor or texture. Try a different kind of treat until you find ones they enjoy. Consider their unique tastes and preferences. With so many options to choose from, you can find the perfect special treats to show your cat some love!
Conclusion
Treating your cat to something extra special is a great way to enhance your bond and bring joy to their day. With treats that provide natural ingredients, dental benefits, and flavors cats crave, you can pamper your feline friend’s unique tastes and needs. Pay attention to their reaction when trying new treats to discover their favorites. Moderation and proper serving sizes are key, so check package guidance. Homemade cat treats allow you to control the ingredients. Your thoughtful effort to find treats your cat loves will help make your furry friend feel valued. So go ahead and share some special treats today to make your cat feel extra spoiled and cared for!